Mariano Rivera has some clout. Does he have enough to bring the Yankees to Panama?

Honored at last night’s 19th annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards Benefit Dinner, Rivera brought up the idea of playing a spring exhibition game in his home country of Panama. And he says it could happen as soon as 2014.

“We’re trying to make it happen, but right now, it is not confirmed,” Rivera said. “Hopefully it will happen quickly, because we want to do it. I want to bring them back to my country and give the people in Panama a great time with the Yankees. So hopefully we can do it.”

On winning Comeback Player of the Year: “You know, when you talk about a comeback, it’s not such a good word, because you know that something happened. Either you didn’t do good, or something happened to you. The previous year, I didn’t like to remember that. It was a sad time for me. But it motivated me, pushed me to finish the way I finished. If that didn’t happen, it wouldn’t have been the same.”

On Dave Robertson as a ninth-inning replacement: “That would be my guy. But definitely, when you start a new job, it’s different. He’ll have to be patient. I believe that he could be the guy. … The transition is mentally. You have to be ready mentally. When it happens, you have to be able to flip the page and move forward.”

On the Red Sox winning the World Series: “They deserve it. They played better than anybody. They played to a different level. That’s why they are the champions. They were capable of doing that; they deserved to win.”

On being honored by the ALS Association: “It means a lot for me to be here. Sometimes we complain. Sometimes I did complain when I would blow a save. When I see this, I have to reach out and say, ‘I’m sorry for being selfish sometimes.’ … Seeing this, it’s something we all have to help, to share what the Lord has given us with others less fortunate and those in need.”